At Midland Crash, 'Stolen' Souls and Scattered Belongings

ENLARGE

Four veterans died Thursday when a train crashed into the flatbed they were riding in a parade in Midland, Texas. Clockwise from top left, they were: Sgt. Maj. Gary Stouffer, 37; Army Sgt. Joshua Michael, 34; Sgt. Maj. William Lubbers, 43; Sgt. Maj. Lawrence Boivin, 47.
Associated Press

By

Ana Campoy

Updated Nov. 16, 2012 5:22 p.m. ET

MIDLAND, Texas— Petra Reyes, a 19-year-old member of the dance team for the minor league football club, the West Texas Drillers, was part of the procession honoring wounded veterans that was hit by a Union Pacific train Thursday.

She and her teammates were riding in a pickup truck behind the flatbeds carrying the severely wounded veterans. She watched the rig that was pulling the flatbeds make its way slowly over the tracks, to keep the veterans from falling, when the arm at the crossing came down.

In a matter of seconds, she said, the train blazed through, taking the second flatbed with it. She says she heard screams and saw people being dragged.

"We saw souls stolen from us," she said. "It was horrible."

A freight train slammed into a parade float carrying wounded veterans in Midland, Texas, on Thursday, killing four. In a briefing Friday, the National Transportation Safety Board describes its investigation into the accident.

On Friday morning, she could no longer remember which country song her teammates were singing before the event turned tragic about 4:40 pm local time.

Janet Scott, a member of one of the local chapters of Veterans of Foreign Wars, was part of a motorcycle brigade by the Patriot Guard Riders, a national group that honors veterans, that escorted the truck pulling the flatbeds. She has participated in the parade several years, she said, and it has always been along the same route.

Her group had crossed the tracks when they heard a booming noise as the train crashed into the second flatbed. She later rode back to the scene to help pick up the veterans' items scattered by the crash. Among them: pocketbooks, gloves and a single shoe.

"We brought the vets out here to show them how much we care," she said. "This is a tragedy that ain't meant to happen."

As part of the preparations, the riders had checked the train schedule, she said, and believed that no train was due until 7 p.m.

More

Ms. Scott said her veteran's group planned to lay four crosses, ribbons and flowers at the site of the accident.

George McAlpine, a 60-year-old petroleum engineer, was at the opening ceremony of a car dealership when someone there got news of the accident via a text message.

"We were just in shock," he said, adding that he hasn't been able to stop thinking about the wreck. "Midland is a very sad town this morning."

Mr. McAlpine and dozens of other people gathered at a downtown square Friday morning to remember the victims. Many were crying as local pastors led them in prayer; others held small U.S. flags as they bowed their heads. Attendees lamented the tragic turn to what was meant to be a joyous event.

Photos

Officials respond after a trailer carrying wounded veterans in a parade was struck by a train in Midland, Texas, on Thursday. Tim Fischer/Reporter-Telegram/Associated Press

Midland Mayor Wes Perry, who spent time with the veterans before the accident, told those who attended the vigil that spirits had been high, with the veterans receiving the keys to the city. "They were blown away by the love and care from the community," he said.

He asked that the crowd keep a moment of silence after he read the names of each of the four fatal victims: Gary Stouffer, Lawrence Boivin, Joshua Michael and William Lubbers.

Mr. Perry said four people remained at the local hospital, one of them in critical condition.

During the crisis, he said, several of the veterans jumped into action, saving the lives of those around them.

"As a community, as a family, we have to gather around them," he added.

Pastor Roy Smith, of True Life Christian Fellowship, said the veterans were "bigger heroes than they were yesterday."

Police Chief Price Robinson said his officers are working with federal investigators to determine what caused the accident, but that it was too early to share any conclusions.

However, Rev. Smith had warned the crowd at the vigil: "All the questions of why may never be answered."

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com.